Saudi Arabia expresses solidarity with South Africa, offers condolences over victims of fuel tanker explosion

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expressed its condolences over the death and injury of several people as a result of the gas tanker explosion in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In a statement reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Sunday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered its condolences to the government and people of the Republic of South Africa, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

A gas tanker is stuck under a bridge

Emergency services in Johannesburg, South Africa, said that a gas tanker stuck under a bridge exploded in the city on Saturday, killing eight people, injuring dozens, and damaging nearby buildings.

The blast shattered the roof of Tambo Memorial Hospital’s emergency department, destroying two homes and several cars, and injuring bystanders.

The death toll from a liquefied gas tanker explosion in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg, has risen to 15, South Africa’s health minister announced Sunday morning.

A spokesman for the Emergency Management Department in this region said on Saturday night that the death toll had risen to 10, and about 40 wounded, on Saturday evening.

He explained that half of the wounded were in serious condition, 15 others were seriously injured, but in stable condition, while 6 firefighters sustained minor injuries.

A fire is like an earthquake

In amateur videos posted on social media, a huge fireball is seen exploding under the bridge. The spokesman added that the tank was filled with 60,000 liters of liquefied gas, used mainly in stoves. It arrived from the southeast of the country, explaining that the truck driver was injured and taken to hospital.